Chef John's Brazilian Fish Stew
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
cayenne pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 red or yellow bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
¼ cup chopped green onion
1 ½ pounds sea bass fillets, cut into chunks
1 pinch salt
¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Step 1
Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir just until onions start to get soft, 3 or 4 minutes. Add tomato paste, garlic, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Continue cooking about 3 minutes. Pour in coconut milk and add soy sauce. When mixture starts to bubble, let it simmer about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and green onions. Let mixture come back to a simmer. Transfer fish to skillet; stir. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until fish starts to flake, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add salt, cilantro, and lime juice; stir carefully to avoid breaking up the fish. Serve with rice.
Prep Time: 12 min Cook Time: 20 min Total Time: 32 min Servings: 6
